Monday, December 12, 2011

This is my second attempt for the monthly blog chain over at Absolute Write. A fictional Hanukkah story. Blogger has been driving me crazy with the paragraph spacing. I have to check my settings, but that is why there is so much space in between paragraphs.This month's prompt: Home for the Holidays (not associated with the real Holiday).

This one is broad: write about a holiday memory. It can be fiction or non-fiction, and the choice of holiday is yours (fictional holidays are okay too). Perhaps you can invent an annoying relative. Maybe you knew someone who got an actual lump of coal in their stocking. Or there's always the tale of Nilatir, Sword-Hero of Evinrude, and the Feast of Sam'x.

Light One Candle

“So, you drink the Arcaffe coffee now?”

“I like the Arcaffe coffee. What is wrong with the Arcaffe coffee?”

The playful banter between Alice and Jacob had been off and on most of the afternoon.

“The coffee at McDonalds is a good coffee,” Alice argued, “I don’t understand why you have to have the fancy Arcaffe coffee, it’s so expensive.”

Aunt Rose sat at the end of one long, makeshift table. If there would be a prize for the oldest person in the food court she would be in the running to win. To look at her you would have to wonder where her glasses were, her eyes looked out of focus and watery.She wore a white blouse with muted beige, yellow and brown stripes. She pretended to listen to Joseph, Alice and Jacob, but she was lost in her own thoughts. She didn’t care about coffee, no one did for that matter, it was a way to pass the time, 1:00 p.m. was fast approaching.

The small tables were pushed together to accommodate most of the group that were in their advanced years. A younger couple, Sara and Eric, were there talking to Albert. They weren’t talking about coffee, it was something more serious and they were keeping it to themselves. Someone that didn’t know Albert would more than likely stare at his left forearm. Although it wasn’t polite to stare, one couldn’t help but wonder,‘Is that what I think it is?’

“We have to go now Albert, good conversation.” Eric and Sara got up to leave.

“You have to leave now?

”It’s getting to be that time.”

”Yes, yes, go already.” And he waved them off with his left hand, giving people another glance.

“Shalom everyone, we shall see you soon.” And the young couple was gone.

This center of the food court seemed to become a meeting place, for the old and the young. The older would pull up a chair and stay.

“Robert, you are late.” Alice pointed out. “What is that stick you have?”

“It’s my new cane, you like?”

“It looks like a stick from my back yard.”

The cane was very fashionable and you could tell Robert was proud of it. It had twists and knots, like the branch of a tree and was lacquered to fine polish.

“I will get coffee.” He says.

“What kind of coffee? Jacob …….”

“Alice, this is a peaceful day and you will have it ruined by coffee?”

“I will go with you Robert.” And Albert stood up to help his friend.

The younger friends and family would stop by and give Aunt Rose a kiss, ask her how she was and she would politely answer, but said very little. They exchanged pleasantries with others in the center of the food court and then would be on their way after checking their watches.

Albert and Robert came back with coffee, from McDonalds, and passed the piping hot liquid around. Everyone stopped to close their eyes and let their noses come alive with the aroma of fresh brewed coffee.

That is when they heard the first notes of the music in the food court.You could hear mumblings from the surrounding tables,

“Is it a Flash Mob?”

“Record it, I think it’s a flash mob.”

Excitement grew in the air and the people became very still. Cameras and cell phones popped out. Then the young people that had stopped by to pay their respects to their elders began to sing,

Light one candle for the Maccabee children With thanks their light didn't die; Light one candle for the pain they endured When their right to exist was denied;

“Light One Candle.” People exclaimed.

Light one candle for the terrible sacrifice Justice and freedom demand; And light one candle for the wisdom to know That the peacemaker's time is at hand!

Although the song is fairly new, it’s meant to remind the young and old the importance of Hanukkah. Aunt Rose beamed with joy as she witnessed the young and the old come together. She lifted herself out of her chair with the help of her walker, stood proudly and began to sing,